MEDICARE

Guests

The Senate voted this week for a sweeping reform of Medicare, the federally-funded universal health care program for the elderly. Like earlier changes to the Social Security system, the Senate voted to increase the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 67 years-old. It also called for means testing and the expansion of so-called Medical Savings Accounts, a tax-exempt savings plans into which seniors could put their Medicare money.

Guests:
• John Hess, formerly a reporter with the New York Times, who has been covering Medicare issues for more than 20 years. He is also a Medicare user.
• Diane Archer, the executive director of the Medicare Rights Center, a research and information group based in New York City.